Odion Ighalo drew effusive praise from Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after scoring three times in as many appearances.
Ighalo scored two goals in the 3-0 win for United over Wayne Rooney's Derby County at Pride Park on Thursday night in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
A goal for our no.2⃣5⃣ on his #MUFC FA Cup debut! 🇳🇬pic.twitter.com/k2sOtH4xZ7
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 5, 2020
That's three goals in as many matches for the striker brought in on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in the January transfer window and his manager is happy with the Nigerian's impact
"He's doing what it says on the tin and what we asked for when we signed him.
"He's coming in playing up front, a different type of striker, he scores, he gets chances in every game.
"Today he could have had another couple. No, I'm very very happy with him."
The arrival of Ighalo has relieved the pressure on the rest of the strikers with injuries taking their toll earlier in the season for Manchester United, Solskjaer recognises this.
"It gives us a chance when Mason and Anto are out, they can be kept fresh too."
Nous
When quizzed on the reasons as to why Ighalo is getting so many opportunities in front of goal, compared to earlier in the season when United appeared to struggle to create chances, The Norwegian believes it's down toIghalo's nous.
"He is experienced, he's scored goals his whole career. He's in around the box and he reads (the play) and he sniffs out chances and where they might come.
"It's a combination, maybe more him than us. I think that type of striker is vital for a team."
It remains to be seen whether Solskjaer will begin to use Ighalo from the start in the Premier League having come off the bench against Everton last weekend.
It would appear unlikely the striker will get the nod for the Derby against Manchester City at the weekend, but given his rich vein of scoring form, Ighalo falls into the 'not a bad option off the bench' category.
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